# Effects of Dietary Black Soldier Fly Larvae on Production Performance and Cecal Microbiota of Yunshang Countryside Chickens

## TL;DR

This study shows that adding black soldier fly larvae to chicken feed improves egg production and gut health in Yunshang Countryside chickens.

## Contribution

The study identifies 7.5% as the optimal inclusion level of BSF larvae for enhancing poultry performance and cecal microbiota.

## Key findings

- BSF larvae reduced the feed-to-egg ratio and improved egg quality in chickens.
- Dietary BSF larvae increased the abundance of dominant cecal bacteria.
- The optimal BSF larvae inclusion level was determined to be 7.5%.

## Abstract

The rapid growth of the global population and livestock industry has significantly increased the demand for meat, while in China, the limited availability of feed resources has become a critical constraint on agricultural development. Conventional protein feed supplies are insufficient to meet current demands, thereby necessitating the exploration of sustainable alternatives. Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae contain substantial amounts of protein, lipids, minerals, and trace elements, and their profile of essential amino acids is comparable to that of fishmeal and soybean meal, which positions them as a promising novel protein source for animal feed. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with BSF larvae protein on Yunshang Countryside chickens. The findings indicated that BSF larvae can serve as a high-quality protein ingredient in feed formulations. This study provides empirical support for the development and application of novel feed resources in livestock and poultry production and offers a theoretical foundation for the utilization of BSF larvae as an unconventional feed resource.

With the rapid development of the livestock and poultry industry, the availability of feed resources in China has become a critical limiting factor, posing a significant challenge to the sustainable growth of animal husbandry. Black soldier fly (BSF) larvae are rich in protein, lipids, minerals, and trace elements and possess an essential amino acid profile comparable to that of fishmeal and soybean meal, which makes them a promising novel protein source for feed. This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary BSF larvae protein supplementation on the growth performance, egg production, as well as meat and egg quality, blood biochemical parameters, and cecal microbiota diversity of Yunshang countryside chickens. The results showed that the inclusion of BSF larvae protein in the diet significantly reduced the feed-to-egg ratio and enhanced egg quality. Dietary supplementation with BSF larvae protein also effectively increased the abundance of dominant bacterial phyla and genera in the cecum, with the optimal inclusion level identified as 7.5%. Overall, the results demonstrate that BSF larvae can serve as a high-quality protein source in poultry production, thereby providing a scientific reference for the development and application of new feed resources and offering a theoretical basis for the utilization of BSF larvae as an alternative protein ingredient.